Clifford Bell, the cabaret impresario, director and producer affectionately known as “Lawrence of Cabarabia,” died Sunday of natural causes at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, publicist Steve Moyer announced. He was 68.
“Clifford Bell was a force of nature!” Moyer said in a statement. “He lived and breathed music every day of his life until the very end.”
A 40-year entertainment veteran, Bell has written and directed variety shows with the likes of Walter Cronkite, Colin Powell and Michael Eisner at the Honda Center in Anaheim and toured with Katey Sagal and her band.
As a cabaret director, he has directed shows for singers Gregg Marx, Todd Murray, Lois Bourgon, Carol Whitener, Joanne Tatham, Bonnie Gilgallon, Lauren White, Quinn Johnson, Chase Masterson, Lee Lessack, Bobbie Norman and Katrina Aguilar.
He has produced albums for singers Betsyann Faiella, Eileen Barnett and Judy Butterfield and directed one-man shows with Beth Lapides, Joan Hotchkis, Juliette Marshall, Craig Laforest, Deborah Pearl and Paul Jacek.
With his frequent collaborator and Tony-nominated actress Lara Teeter (On the tips)Bell co-created the touring show Straight from Broadway, which starred Tony winners Debbie Gravitte (Broadway by Jerome Robbins) and Michael Maguire (Les Miserables).
He has managed variety evenings and show presentations, often for charitable causes such as Our name is Barbra, an annual celebration of Barbra Streisand’s birthday that has raised funds and awareness for Bell’s beloved charity, Project Angel Food, for 26 years.
His ending Our name is Barbra concert was presented on April 24 at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood with a lineup of celebrity artists. It was also presented on May 6 for the first time in Palm Springs to benefit the Revolution Stage Company.
Bell has also worked with Shannon Penrod of Autism Help Today and singer Dana Meller to found Broadway for Autism and with Aguilar to raise awareness for autism organizations.
Bell was born in New Jersey on September 17, 1956. His father was a conductor and his mother a concert cellist.
He wrote for Cabaret Scenes Magazine; was featured alongside Chita Rivera, Bruce Vilanch and Sam Harris in Marc Saltarelli's 2023 documentary Studio One Forever; hosted a podcast about stand-up comedy; and taught stand-up comedy at the Woman's Club in Hollywood.
Survivors include brother Bryan Bell, a technologist, recording engineer and former senior vice president of Broadway record label Fynsworth Alley; stepfather Andrew; sister-in-law Margarita; nephew Lindsay; and nieces Christina and Andrea.
Donations in his memory can be made to Project Angel Food and/or Cabaret scenes.